How Steve Kaufmann Learned 20 Languages The Fun Way

Have you dreamed of speaking multiple languages for years but somehow never got around to learning? Do you catch yourself muttering, “I'm too old to learn a new language now”? 

Think again! 

Language guru Steve Kaufmann has proved over and over that you're never too old to learn a new language. 

“I've learned more languages in the last 15 years than I learned up to the age of 60.”

Steve Kaufmann

Yes, you read that right!” Steve speaks 20 languages — and he learned most of them after turning 60. 

Steve believes anyone can learn to speak a new language at any age. And I agree!

So, let's hit that “I'm too old to learn a language,” excuse right out of the park and investigate Steve's method. 

If you prefer watching videos to reading, hit play on the video below to watch the video version of this post. Otherwise, keep scrolling to read the blog post version.

Pivotal Early Experience

Now, we'll start with the elephant in the room. Because yes, like many polyglots, such as Luca Lampariello, Steve Kaufmann had some pivotal language learning experiences. 

But these lessons weren't crucial because he had them when he was young. They were pivotal because they gave Steve confidence. As he says:

“You know a lot of people have never had that experience so they don't believe they can do it. But once I became a fluent speaker of another language, I knew that I could do it.” 

Steve Kaufmann

In other words, Steve's language learning experience generated confidence, which helped him to leap at opportunities to learn more. 

And what opportunities they were! 

Opportunities, Confidence, Competence, Challenge 

Steve's journey started with a college professor whose French Civilisation class lit a fire in Steve. He immersed himself in learning the language and culture.

That led to three years in Paris studying at L'Institut d’Études Politiques (Institute of Political Studies) and an early career as a Canadian diplomat. 

Then the call came out for a diplomat to learn Mandarin in Hong Kong. Some people held back, but not Steve. Because he had already learned French, Steve was confident that he could master another language. 

Once again, he threw himself into learning the culture and language, and the dedication paid off. Then with French and Mandarin under his belt, Steve went to Japan and immersed himself in Japanese life. 

Now, you might think, “I didn't get those early pivotal experiences, so I'll never learn a language now!” 

But, here's the lesson from Steve's experience. 

The crucial part doesn't lie in Steve's age when he learned French, Mandarin and Japanese. It lies in the motivation, confidence and dedication to learning that enabled Steve to seize his opportunities and rise to the challenge.

“When I look back on it now, the main thing was the motivation. But I needed to be very much motivated because it was a lot of work.” 

Steve Kaufmann

Motivation — seizing opportunities — rising to the challenge! You've probably already cultivated these traits in other areas of your life. And Steve believes you can harness them to learn new languages at any age.  

What Does Steve Actually Do To Learn A Language?

“There's only one rule — do what you like doing. In my case it's listening to and reading things of interest and occasionally reviewing words and going out to speak to people in that language.” 

Steve Kaufmann

And here's the key to Steve's success. Do what you like doing! 

But let's break this down a little further. What does Steve mean by “do what you like doing, occasionally reviewing words and going out to speak?”

Do What You Like Doing  

Steve's first key is to learn languages in a way that's fun for you. 

Make sure you're in alignment with yourself. 

If you like what you're doing, you'll do more of it. So, is the way you're currently learning a language fun?

If you love reading, why are you trying to learn with apps? If you adore conversation, shouldn't you be finding lots of opportunities to speak? 

Do you love watching movies? Why are you burying yourself in a textbook? (It could be the hoarding villain who's making you collect a bunch of resources you don't actually use…)

The point is this: If you're having fun while learning, you're more likely to stick to it and progress. That, of course, will motivate you to learn even more.  

Focus On Input First

Input means helping your brain soak up the new language — vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and more — by reading, listening or watching as much as you possibly can. 

It's a bit like doing your core exercises in the gym. Steve believes speaking is easier when you put in lots of listening and reading first. This must be why Steve and I get on so well, because the StoryLearning® method involves a similar approach.

Of course, the texts should be at your level; Steve uses simple mini stories for his initial efforts. (If you're looking for more stories to support your language learning, check out my short story books for multiple languages and levels).

In fact, to make things super easy for you, he's got a whole heap of them on his website LingQ.  

Do More Whenever You Can

After the basics, start listening more whenever you can. 

Steve listens as he prepares and eats breakfast. He listens some more while he's cleaning up. There are listening opportunities during workouts and even more when he's out and about in the car. 

Steve can easily squeeze an hour or more of listening into every day just by fitting it into normal everyday activities. 

Of course, the next question is — how can you apply this learning technique? What “dead time” do you have in your day that you can dedicate to listening practice? 

All that input adds up over the weeks and months to create a powerful bank of passive vocabulary and grammar knowledge to tap into when you speak. 

Occasionally Review Words And Phrases

Polyglots have many different methods for language learning; there's no “one size fits all.”. 

That being said, most polyglots would agree that there is a place for making lists and vocabulary reviews. 

However, Steve says the trick is in that word, “occasionally”. You can use flashcards, write lists, play with apps, and so on, but don't be fooled into thinking that memorising words alone will teach you the language. Reviewing words and phrases is just one piece of the puzzle. 

In fact, 80-95% of your time should be focused on input. I couldn't agree more!

Don't Rush Into Speaking

Some language experts are adamant you should start speaking from day one. Others, like Steve, say wait until you feel ready. 

The early-speech brigade argues with some truth that that's a recipe for procrastination – you might never feel ready. Steve, of course, feels you should input lots first and then speak.  

However, he's not dogmatic about it. He thinks about language learning holistically — with fun coming first and foremost.

“When you need to speak the language, if you have a large passive vocabulary, you will be able to speak. It'll come quite quickly. But, there again, it'll be something that you WANT to do. So, if you want to speak early — speak. If you don't want to speak early, don't worry about it.”

Steve Kaufmann

Steve reckons,“everything can work if you enjoy doing it.”

Language Learning Isn't A Competition

Some people thrive on a bit of competition; others find it too stressful. Steve Kaufmann isn't into making comparisons when learning new languages. 

He sees it as a personal challenge. 

“I'm not comparing myself to others. Some people are going faster; some people are going to pronounce better; some people are going to learn faster, slower, whatever. It doesn't matter. I'm learning it for myself, so I'm not competing.”

Steve Kaufmann

That reduces the stress level and makes learning more enjoyable and effective. 

You Don't Have To Be Perfect

Steve Kaufmann isn't a perfectionist. He learns languages to communicate and have fun and doesn't stress over mistakes. 

“If I was hung up on perfection I'd be forever perfecting my Japanese, so I would never have explored Greek, Romanian or Arabic. I would rather explore more, than perfect what I already have now.” 

Steve Kaufmann

Don't let perfectionism prevent you from exploring your interests.

Work Consistently And Have Fun 

It's safe to say Steve Kaufmann knows a thing or two about language learning. 

But, if I had to condense his learning philosophy into just a few words, I can't go past these gems: 

Work hard, stay motivated, and have fun!    

Why? Because these are at the heart of all my StoryLearning® method, where you learn a language thanks to stories, not rules. If you'd love to learn by reading stories, click here for a free 7-day trial of the course of your choice.

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.